Page 25 of Love: Take Two

Before she can finish, I press down firmly on her clit at the same time I twist both fingers inside her. She keens noisily, surprised and overwhelmed by her release. It swamps her features, sending a wave of goosebumps along her entire body.

I'm done for. I grunt as cum bursts from me in powerful spurts, taking my breath and seeping through my underwear.It's worth the embarrassment, to be in the presence of such awesome beauty.

"Hmmm," she hums sleepily, a secret smile curling her lips. "I didn't know how much I needed that. Thank you."

"Thankyou," I reply, glad she's too drowsy to see the blush on my cheeks.

I've been with more than my fair share of women. I've always left them satisfied, with a smile on their faces. I've done things most men have only seen online, with women more experienced than me. So why did just touching Awa feel so…different?

Chapter fourteen

Awa

The shrill beeping of my alarm yanks me out of a deep, delicious sleep. It's morning. The sun's rays peek through the blinds to paint stripes on my pillow. I hear water running from the shared showers at the end of the hall. But most importantly, it's my first ever morning after with a boy.A man, I correct myself, though a girlish squeal still fights to break free at the thought.

The cool sheets skim my naked body. Last night's decadence pulses between my legs. Several vertebrae and toes pop as I stretch, and I release a pleased hum. I want to savor this moment. Luxuriate in every sensation.

Every sensation except the piercing chimes emanating from the infernal device on my nightstand. I let out a tiny growl as I reach to silence it, but I'm not upset. Not really. How could I be, when all my romcom-fueled fantasies just came true?

Noah kissed me. Noahmore thankissed me! Noah touched me like a man touches a woman. I will never be the same.

Good, a small voice whispers from a quiet place in the back of my mind. A voice I've done my best to ignore so I could focus on school and not the ache in my chest as the life I want passes me by.

TheAwa Fayefrom yesterday was boring. Smart, driven…and lonely. She was a perfectly respectable young lady who had no idea how good she could feel. Not until Noah Park.

I swoon, snuggling deeper into my comforter, until I realize my alarm hasn't stopped. I stick my arm out again—I must've hit snooze—careful not to jostle the mattress too much, lest I wake up the angel who made me see God last night, but there's nothing. The bed next to me is not only empty but cold; he must've left hours ago. Confusion wrinkles my brow, but the damn alarm is still blaring.

I snatch it up, my afterglow well and truly shattered, only to find it's not my alarm. My phone is ringing, and whoever it is must've been calling for several minutes now. I look at the display.

Maman

I slam the phone back down on the nightstand.

Why is she calling? Does she know what I was doing last night? Is it possible there was a hidden camera somewhere and I've had a sex video leaked online? Did it go viral, and it's already gotten back to my parents in Dakar?

I'm panicking, literally sweating, thinking about all the possibilities that might warrant a call, before my logic finally engages to stop my spiraling.

Present circumstances aside, do I really think Noah would do that? Plant a hidden camera and release the video of our night together? No, I do not. He may have left without saying goodbye—a fact I will make sure to discuss with him later today—but I don't think he's a predator. An inappropriate video would hurt him just as much as it hurts me.

And who am I, anyway? Outside of Noah, my parents, and maybe Sybil, would anyone elsecareif I had a sex tape? It's my third year at this school, but I'm no more well-liked or evenknownthan I was on day one of freshman year. My inability to get close to people, to form genuine connections with people, didn't start in college either.

I'm interrupted from further brooding when my phone protests once again. I clear my throat, brace myself, and answer.

"HiMaman," I say, injecting as much courtesy as I can while being this dejected.Why isn't Noah here?

"Hein, is that how you answer when your mother calls? Your father works hard to send you to that school. The least you can do is show us some respect when we call."

"Sorry,Maman," I apologize, slipping into the role of dutiful daughter I've perfected over a lifetime.

"Why did it take you so long to answer?" she asks, her voice laced with suspicion. "Isn't it early where you are?"

I check my watch to see that it's just after eight in the morning.

"Yes,Maman, but I don't have class on Fridays. I was sleeping in."

She grumbles disapprovingly.

"C'est ridicule.Don't tell me you're lazing about in bed when you could be studying. The LSAT is just months away."